Catalyst assisted zinc oxide nanowires for gas sensors
R.K. Joshi, A. Kumar
University of South Florida, US
Keywords: ZnO nanowires, gas sensors
Abstract:We present the room temperature detection of 100 ppm carbon monoxide using metal ( Pd and Au) decorated Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowires. Zin oxide nanowires were grown via Vapor Liquid Solid method whreas the palladium and gold nanoparticles were prepared by the solution growth method.Pd decorated ZnO nanowires show better CO sensing response then Au decorated nanowires. Metal nanoparticles act as catalyst in sensitization and improve the reaction and response time. The improvement in gas sensing behavior is attributed to the change in conductivity of the metal decorated ZnO nanowires on CO exposure due to the donation of electrons resulted from gas oxidation to p type ZnO nanowire surfaces.